The race for the 2024 Olympic Games is heating up after
America’s Ben Shelton won the Japan Open.
The 21-year-old defeated Russia’s Aslan Karatsev in the final
of the competition in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 6-1.
With that win, Shelton is now leading the race for a spot in
the Olympics. He added 500 points after a win in Tokyo which makes him the
leading American player in the race for a spot in the mega-event.
He is now leading the likes of fellow countrymen Taylor
Fritz, Tommy Paul and Sebastian Korda.
It is important to note that only a maximum of four players
can participate from a country in the mega-event which is set to take place in
Paris next summer.
Shelton is often regarded as one of the best young talent
around in men’s singles tennis along with Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Italy’s
Jannik Sinner.
He showcased his talent in the recently concluded US Open
where he managed to qualify for the semifinal of the event.
However, his journey ended there as he lost to the current world
number one and legendary Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic in straight sets
with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 7-6.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.